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Department of Justice and Community Safety

STANDARDS AND CODES

The dangerous substances legislation references a number of standards and codes.  These include the Australian Explosives Code, and Australian Standard AS2187.1, in relation to explosives.

With the expansion of the general regulations to cover other types of dangerous substances the list of approved codes will also be expanded.

In any case, the Dangerous Substances Act 2004 requires that all reasonable steps be taken in relation to the risk associated with dangerous substances.  It specifically requires that when considering reasonable steps, the responsible person must consider the state of current knowledge in relation to the hazard and the method of controlling the risks.

Australian Standards provide a range of standards for the control of different classes of dangerous goods.  The Office of Australian Safety Compensation Council (OASCC) provides a regulatory package on hazardous substances.  All of these publications would be considered as sources of current knowledge in relation to hazards and the control of risks.

The following are available from the OASCC or Australian Government Publications.

The Australian Dangerous Goods Code, sixth edition (ADG Code 6th Ed), is available for purchase from CanPrint in paperback and on CD.  CanPrint contact details are:

CanPrint Information Services
P.O. Box 7456
Canberra MC ACT 2610

Telephone: 1300 889 873
Fax: (02) 6293 8333
E-mail : sales@infoservices.com.au

 

The following Codes of Practice are adopted under Section 219 of the Dangerous Substances Act 2004. They set a minimum standard for management of specific topics.

Asbestos

National Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos  (2nd Edition) [NOHSC:2002 (2005)] (Current Edition commenced 1 May 2006)

Hazardous Substances

National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1005(1994)] (Commenced 24 April 1995)

Hazardous Substances

National Code of Practice for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:2007(1994)] (Commenced 24 April 1995)

Hazardous Substances

National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets [NOHSC:2011(2003)] (Current Edition commenced 19 July 2006)

Hazardous Substances

National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances [NOHSC:2012(1994)] (Commenced 24 April 1995)

See also the following Codes of Practice for the ACT that have been adopted under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989.

Hazardous Substances

Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)] (with the exception of chrysotile @ 0.1 fibre/mL) (Commenced 5 November 1996) 
{Refer also to the following database Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS) for access to additional information}

Inorganic Lead

National Standard for the Control of Inorganic Lead at Work [NOHSC:1012(1994)]
and Code of Practice for the Control and Safe Use of Inorganic Lead at Work [NOHSC:2015(1994)] (Commenced 12 January 1995)

Synthetic Mineral Fibres

National Standard for Synthetic Mineral Fibres [NOHSC:1004(1990)] and National Code of Practice for the Safe use of Synthetic Mineral Fibres [NOHSC:2006 (1990)] (Commenced 19 February 1992)